School applications - can they be delayed if there is a dispute between parents? (Moved from legal matters thread)

[getinmybelly]

That's it really. If separated parents haven't reached an agreement, and both have parental responsibility, and there is mediation going on and a potential application for a special issue order, what happens if this goes over the application deadline? Some councils have a process for this, but where person who this relates to lives (not me) it is not clear and nobody can tell us anything over the phone.

[prh47bridge]

I've answered on Legal Matters.

[Labro]

Normally the application would go in as normal (assume the resident parent is making the application?)
Then, if the other parent is disputing the place, they would have to raise a specific issue order contesting the place that has actually been offered.
I've moved ds twice against ex husbands wishes as the form does not ask for both parents signatures, only their details.

[prh47bridge]

Going for an SIO after the offer has been made wouldn't actually work. The other parent cannot magic up an offer at the school they want and an SIO won't force the LA to come up with an offer at that school either. All they can do once a place has been offered is prevent it being accepted. There is no guarantee the LA would then come up with another offer. If they did it would probably be at an unpopular school which could be miles away.